Interior LED Dome Light Diffuser | DIY | 6X Brighter

[Dezoris]

Welcome to the Interior LED Panel Dome Light Diffuser Thread

The Problem

As FR-S and BRZ owners there is one thing we have in common.
The interior dome light is about as efficient as a flashlight made in the 1920s if not worse. The light output is a joke.

Solution:

Now with the so many light upgrade options I chose to do a custom order with Ken from HID_Powerhouse LEDs.

I chose him again because I did not want 6000k+ (Blue) LEDs for interior lighting. I believe the interior of the vehicle is similar to a living space that should have warm usable light.

So he placed a custom order for 3000k, 15 LED Light panel for the dome light.

it arrived in 3 weeks and quality of board and LED placement was good.

LED PANEL INSTALLED:




Problem With Solution:

The LED panel was about 8x a bright based on my light meter.
This was excellent, however the problem with LED panel's is they produce directional and very HARD light. So while the interior had a warm bright light it was also blinding. I mean to the point where you go in the car and your eyes hurt if you glanced up. So clearly the solution was go with a less bright LED panel but still have hard light or come up with something else.

Solution for the Solution:

I messaged Ken, and asked if he ever produced or had the ability to get diffusers for the LED panels. He said he did not have the ability to make something like this, which I understand.

When you go into girls bedroom and want to re-produce do you turn on a spot light or take off the lampshade?

The super bright LED panels need a diffuser or a ND Gel.
(neutral density filter cuts light output)(Diffuser scatters and softens light much like a lampshade)

The easiest way would be to use a diffuser sheet on top of the light panel. However a foot of that material is more than the cost of the LED.

So I looked at ND filters/Gels that could be placed on the OEM plastic lens.

Those were cheap but all it would do is cut light output, not diffuse the light.

Final Solution for LED Panel

I did some looking for a flash bulb diffuser that was near the same dimensions as the LED panel and found one on amazon:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0083Z6R4W/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00"]Amazon.com: Sto-Fen OM-ET Omni-Bounce for Canon 600EX-RT Flash: Camera & Photo[/ame]

Dimensions:
2 x 3 x 2 inches


Pictures of Diffuser:






Fitting to Size:

I dropped the light panel into the diffuser and it was a near perfect fit. All I need was a small amount of double sided tape to hold the diffuser in place and then cut the diffuser to size.

Making Dots around where the circuit board was located inside for easy cutting.



Cutting Around the Dots With Dremel (or band saw)



Sand Down Rough Edges with Dremel Bit and Place in LED Panel



Without Diffuser



With Diffuser:






Conclusion:

• Light output increased 6x over OEM
• 3000k Produces soft warm white light no blue cast inherent with most LED lights.
  
• Diffuser helps soften and scatter light
• Reduced eye strain and bright interior light
• I can see bodily fluids such as snot, blood or fecal matter collection on the seats, floor mats and shift knob more easily
  

[Dezoris]

Can somone move this to DIY wrong forum.

[mrjester]

Nice work.

[zooki]

Or you could cut a piece out of a milk jug. I have used a milk jug as a poor man's soft box for my speedlight on my camera...works great.

[Dezoris]

Originally Posted by zooki

Or you could cut a piece out of a milk jug. I have used a milk jug as a poor man's soft box for my speedlight on my camera...works great.

Did not think of that. I generally only use half gallons so they are cardboard. Does organic milk have better performance?

[Alabang 86]

excellent! thanks for this idea.

[Anthonytpt]

That's brilliant! Anyone have an issue with the door function of the light not working? Mine does not shut off automatically and I've switched bulbs and panels. Thank you!

[Dezoris]

Originally Posted by Anthonytpt

That's brilliant! Anyone have an issue with the door function of the light not working? Mine does not shut off automatically and I've switched bulbs and panels. Thank you!

Make sure switch is in middle position.
Also what panel did you switch to?

[Anthonytpt]

@Dezoris: Thanks for responding! I've checked the position of the dome light slider and it's on door. I got them from HID Powerhouse, both the Godzilla panel and a smaller one after that. I then switched to the festoon bulb. I don't know anything about the lighting circuitry, but either I had bad luck with all those purchases or the control itself is funky.